I’m trying to upload the tax forms to IDOC for the FA applications. IDOC specifies that they “prefer” tax software generated .pdf files, but says they want the return “signed”. This seems like a conflict, at least for us using HRBlock, because the .pdf files generated are of course not signed.
I could print, sign, re-scan and make a new .pdf but that is a huge pain. Can I just send them unsigned? The IDOC “help” section and their instructional video were pretty unhelpful, silent on this question.
I didn’t use iDoc, rather a college’s own upload system, and they emailed me saying they needed my signature on page 2 of the 1040. So, I printed that page, scanned it in, and resent just that one page.
So I would suggest sending the whole H&R Block pdf plus the one signed page.
Ah, ok - so I ended up attaching the signature page (p.2) and making a new scan/pdf. It’s a bit slanty, which they don’t like, but what can I do. Now I’m flummoxed because although I e-filed, FAFSA can’t see my IRS documents yet. (I’m not sure if the schools even need that to be done, since only IDOC schools are considering giving us aid.)
I assume you mean via the Data Retrieval Tool. They claim it takes 2-3 weeks, but ours was there after 1 week.
I’m sure all schools want the FAFSA for FA (they want you you to get Federal money before their own). And if your student wants work study or federal loans, it’s a must as well. But it’s always a good idea to check each individual website for exact needs and deadlines.
Thank you! Yes, that’s what I meant. OK I will check back after a week and do it. (There’s no way we’re getting Federal money based on the FAFSA report, but I don’t want to leave any process incomplete if it’s required!)
If you have an earlier deadline to meet with the FAFSA, then just enter your information in manually and submit it. Afterwards, do a “correction” using the DRT.
(And while you may not qualify for any Federal grants, the school might package a federal loan or work study as aid)
I had the same question about signing the 1040. I called a couple of school and they were not consistent as well. One said don’t sign it - they realize it was signed electronically and doesn’t have an actual signature. The other said print, sign and scan. I did the latter since it seems the safest to me for all schools.
The CSS Profile person told me to print sign and scan when I called for help on IDOC today so I will do that, but I’m not sure whether to back date the 1040 to when I submitted it with an electronic signature, or sign it with today’s date, which seems more legal but also more confusing.
The whole DRT issue has been confusing. So from what folks have said you need to wait 2-3 weeks before you can go back in and request it to link up with your FAFSA
Also we tried to update info on FAFSA as we had used 2014 return to estimate but it’s being difficult letting us access to update. Anyone else having issues?
Thanks OP for this helpful question. I thought we were the only ones perplexed by the process. Certainly not user friendly…
@tonymom - Yes, according to the website it takes 2-3 weeks. Our experience this year was only a week (I think it was about as short last year as well). I don’t think you need to update from estimates to actuals and then again using the DRT. You could just wait until you use the DRT. However, you can update (correct) multiple times if you’d like. (Sometimes a “correction” is adding more schools if you have more than the max to send to).
To “correct” you look for this verbiage (after “Status” and “What happens next”):
You can also:
View or Print your Student Aid Report (SAR)
Make FAFSA Corrections to make a change, add a school, or transfer IRS data into your FAFSA
View Correction History to view corrections made to your FAFSA
Choose the “Make FAFSA Corrections…” option and make your updates (or link to DRT).
Anyone know when you check back on IDOC dashboard if items say received but there is no date under processed does that mean they are still in limbo?
Somewhat confusing as at the top of the page it indicates all documents were received and processed…just no specific processed dates itemized by the listed documents themselves…:-0
I called IDOC yesterday about the preference for PDF files and they were just a little bit more helpful than the instructions on their website…After rephrasing my question a few different times I think I got the answer: they prefer the PDF files and you have to print, sign and scan. We weren’t sure what to do about the date (forgot to ask about that!) and ended up backdating with the date we submitted to the IRS. After scanning everything in, I got back into IDOC to upload the docs and I realized I didn’t put the SSNs in the right hand corner of every document…UGH! So now I have to put SSNs on all the docs and re-scan everything…
I did not put SSNs on every document. I did a few years ago when I had to mail everything. I thought that was in case someone dropped the papers I mailed. But this is all online. It is not going to get dropped. Mine were all processed without doing that. I think you are fine to just let them the way they are without rescanning.